“The Playboy Club” recap: Episode 2

Welcome back to another episode of The Playboy Club! I have to say, I spoke with series creator, Chad Hodge this morning and he’s got a lot of great things planned for the show; for the gay characters in particular. I’ll save most of what I have to say for the interview post but I do want to tell you all that his vision is very different than the one in place for Mad Men and I hope you’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and trust that the level of camp combined with a “fantasy land” for the bunnies was intentional. Stop getting so hung up on the decade and its aesthetics and let’s concentrate on the fact that it took me three and a half hours to just get my notes done for this recap. While we’re on the subject, I should probably also let you know I had one cocktail and was over-tired while taking my notes. On to the show.

We’re back at the club, the band starts, the spotlight shows off a hot bunny tail and Bunny Momma Carol Lynne is on stage getting the night started with some heat. Outside, the two schlubs who found Mr. Bianchi’s club key are standing in line and have no idea what they’re in for.

Good looking couples are ushered in, pictures are taken and Carol Lynne is giving her best shimmy shimmy shake. Backstage, the girls are in a tizzy because Hef has sent a message to all the Chicago girls telling them they’ve all got the opportunity to apply to be featured on the cover of Playboy magazine. Prude Bunny Alice says, “Bunnies are bunnies and playmates are playmates. Bunnies wear clothes!” I’m sure her inner monologue went something like this, “But if you all insist on applying, maybe I can help you figure out which camera angles look best to show off your good side.”

Bunny Brenda literally thanks God for having the opportunity to get nekkid for cameras. Maureen can’t wait to try her luck but all I can concentrate on are the lack of space where her boobs are.

Upstairs, Carol Lynne is still on stage showing off her sexiness while Nick looks on in desire. His buddy Billy sees all of this and gives him the sage advice, “Hey next time don’t take home the blond bunny during the middle of the other one’s set.” Nick rolls his eyes and tells Billy nothing actually happened the other night. Billy says, “You expect me to believe the two best-looking people in Chicago spend the night together and nothing happens?” Slow your roll Billy, Chicago is filled with good-looking people. Nick replies, “Actually, something did happen,” and something happened for me too! When I hit pause on the TiVo to jot down notes, a still shot of Eddie Cibrian and his dimple came up on my television and I finally realized why I don’t like him so much: While I can agree that he is a hot guy looks-wise, he reminds me of Mario Lopez with those dimples. I have a burning hatred for Mario Lopez the same way my mom hates (gay men reading this, cover your eyes) Bernadette Peters. Now that that’s off my chest, hopefully I can pay more attention to the show.

So something happened with Maureen, but Nick’s not sure what. Billy wants to know how Nick expects to win Carol Lynne back. Before you can sing the theme song to Saved by the Bell, the subject changes to the mob boss who was killed. Nick does a pretty good job of acting like he doesn’t know anything and Billy can only hope his club doesn’t get into any trouble or go through any changes because the club was the last place the mob guy was seen. Unfortunately for him, Mr. Bianchi’s son is already spending a lot of time in there. They see him, he sees them and summons them over.

As they make their way, we are brought back to the front of the club, where the poor two schlubs who found the key at the end of the last episode are trying their luck with the key they found. They’re let in and Mr. Bianchi’s name tag is slid into place on the Bunny Board of Customers. Maureen sees his name and her head twirls into a flashback of almost getting raped and then kicking a hole into an old man’s neck. She snaps back into it and, now I’m thinking she might be a sociopath based on how unfettered she seemed.